The police in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are stepping up security efforts for the holiday season with the implementation of the "3 O’Clock Habit."

The initiative prioritizes increased police visibility in key areas every afternoon.

Officers must complete their office tasks in the morning to patrol the streets and ensure peace and order later in the day.

“We are doing our effort to maximize police presence sa place of convergence,” PLTCOL Roldan Cabatan, Chief of the Mangaldan Police Station, said.

The strategy involves deploying officers to major streets, schools, the municipal plaza, the public market, and other crowded areas.

Police cars also patrol the national highway for better monitoring.

PSMS Marivic Dispo of the Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) explained the focus on peak hours:

“Nakamandato rin po na mag-provide ng police presence lalo na sa hapon, labasan ng mga estudyante,” he said.

“For safety purposes. Para sa mga tao na naglalakad, lalo na ‘yung mga kabataan,” PSSG Isagani San Juan, also of PNCO, added.

Despite the afternoon patrols, essential personnel remain at the station, including the desk officer, duty investigator, and tactical operation center staff.

The program is complemented by regular police checkpoints conducted three to four times daily, depending on the situation.